Charlotte Convention Center

[QCxpat]

Today 12:30 p.m.

Edited October 5, 2020 by QCxpat

[KJHburg]

I sure hope conventions and meetings and trade shows come back soon as our convention center is going to be dynamic (and I have never said that about this building)

drive by today. 

[QCxpat]

Today 10:00 a.m.

Edited October 28, 2020 by QCxpat

[CharlotteWkndBuzz]

Great pics ^.  I was looking at google earth and was thinking to myself...should they rename the light rail stops?  Stonewall station should be renamed Stonewall/Convention Center Station.  3rd St Station can be just that.  The Westin is pretty much our convention hotel (for now) and with the new ped bridge connecting Stonewall station/Westin with the CC, I'd figure this stop would be the best for convention goers. Guess it also depends on if this will be "main" entrance capable meaning idk if they want large amounts of ppl using this as a main entrance vs the 3rd st and college st entrances.

My thought also changes though if they do someday build a conference hotel on-site where the duke energy data center is...then I guess the names can remain the same since the 3rd st station would be closer to the conference hotel.  All that being said, the names arent changing lol.

Edited October 28, 2020 by CharlotteWkndBuzz

[KJHburg]

earlier today and looking good.  

[KJHburg]

I sure hope meetings, conventions and trade shows come back as our convention center will be great after this work is complete.  Really great facility. 

[KJHburg]

few more on my way out I can see myself hanging out above Stonewall Street.  

[gman430]

[SouthernSkyline]

Crane coming down today.

[KJHburg]

Our convention center is adding outside space at just the right time and this convention center might suit our needs for the next 25 years too given this past years events. 

[KJHburg]

another photo of the convention center expansion with glass.  Looks great.  

[videtur quam contuor]

This is a creative restructuring and the timing is the best, though no one predicted this. Plenty of room to work, few events to disturb construction, so much less street traffic and pedestrians also.

[KJHburg]

drive by photos today of the convention center renovation and expansion. 

bonus shot of the sign announcing new CVS at Stonewall and Caldwell on bottom floor of Home2Suites Hotel. 

[KJHburg]

I believe our convention center has gone from ho hum not too exciting to a great looking facility.  I have seen many of these and they are boring but all this glass overlooking the street with outside space might be the ticket in the post pandemic world.   Today. 

[CharlotteWkndBuzz]

That screening looks pretty good too...something like that would do wonders on the Ally parking deck.  Also, if I'm not mistaken, there is a retail aspect to this project as well.  Where the steps from the light rail platform come down to the new portion of the CC which will also have access from the street (shown in last pic).  I saw it marketed somewhere...possibly Thrift's website maybe?  Renderings show tables and umbrellas suggesting maybe a little restaurant or grab n go type place. 

*Correction...looks like the retail they were marketing was for the little jewel box above Whole Foods (which has stayed quiet too).  

Edited February 23, 2021 by CharlotteWkndBuzz

[videtur quam contuor]

Who is the architect and also the engineer for this project? Well done, sirs.

[DMann]

I too like the glass expanse of the convention center.  It helps turn that section of Stonewall (or whatever it gets changed to) into a more inviting area to walk.  The addition of the apartments, renovated groundwork of the NASCAR center, and the JW Marriott also helps!!!!!

[KJHburg]

this bland old convention center is looking better and better every day.  I hope it is filled with lots of new meetings, trade shows, conventions.

[KJHburg]

few more of the convention center Stonewall St pedestrian bridge.  It looks great.  

[KJHburg]

I said it before and I will say it again our convention center went from boring big box to something that can I say it is almost exciting to look at now. 

Today. 

[Bikeguy]

2 hours ago, KJHburg said:

I said it before and I will say it again our convention center went from boring big box to something that can I say it is almost exciting to look at now. 

Today. 

Shades os I.M. Pei. 

[RANYC]

2 hours ago, KJHburg said:

I said it before and I will say it again our convention center went from boring big box to something that can I say it is almost exciting to look at now. 

Today. 

Can you explain?  I drove by this project a few days ago and I'm still having a hard time seeing how this renovation creates street-level engagement.  I now just see brand new glass boxes on top of a ground-level wall.  All the street trees once lining Stonewall were massacred, similar to what's happening to the  Library lot.  

[KJHburg]

It creates a pedestrian bridge and patio area for outside meeting space and encourages people to cross the street to the whole foods side and actually linger on that bridge.  I am sure all those trees will be replaced this is Charlotte and that is the rule.  

[Bruco72]

18 hours ago, KJHburg said:

It creates a pedestrian bridge and patio area for outside meeting space and encourages people to cross the street to the whole foods side and actually linger on that bridge.  I am sure all those trees will be replaced this is Charlotte and that is the rule.  

Agreed and what they could do was limited. 

A conference center needs a loading dock and that’s where it is, so that wasn’t going to change.

Now if the Westin could just re-do their horrific Stonewall frontage 

[RANYC]

22 hours ago, Bruco72 said:

Agreed and what they could do was limited. 

A conference center needs a loading dock and that’s where it is, so that wasn’t going to change.

Now if the Westin could just re-do their horrific Stonewall frontage 

Maybe that's it then.  I'm expecting too much, and perhaps focused on the wrong side of the street.  Westin could do much more to engage the sidewalk.  I walked the length of Stonewall in that area this week, and I'm sorry to disappoint, but don't really see it livening up much.  Still feels like a pedestrian dead-zone.  Will withhold judgment until the project is finished, however. 

Even if we're stuck with a WALL along sidewalk, one can focus on other trappings like sidewalk sculptures and colonnades, as well as the texture of the wall pedestrians are walking alongside.    Hydroponics allow soil-less veils of vegetation to grow in vertical planters up the length of a wall.  

Having said all that, if nothing happens at street-level on that block, at least Stonewall between College and Tryon looks very activated.

Edited April 29, 2021 by RANYC